Grantham court: Three guilty pleas to driving offences

A 22-year-old pleaded guilty to driving an unlicensed van without insurance and a valid test certificate.

Richard Atkinson of Tennyson Avenue, Grantham was caught driving a Ford Transit on Alexandra Road which he said he had bought the day before.

Prosecutor Jim Clare outlined how in the early afternoon of November 24 the vehicle was seen by police on Harlaxton Road, and a check on their National computer database revealed that it had no insurance.

The officers then stopped the van on Alexandra Road, which contained three people including the defendant.

On being taken back to the police station Atkinson gave a full admission, although he added that he had thought he would be covered by the fully comprehensive cover he had on another vehicle.

He explained that he had been driving to do some work with his brother, in order to earn enough money to pay for the insurance.

Representing himself in court, Atkinson reiterated his belief that he was covered by the other car’s insurance and said that he had only bought the van the day before. On his decision to drive he added: “I was just trying to earn a living.”

Magistrates fined Atkinson £110 for not having any insurance, while also ordering him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.

His driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points, but he received no separate penalties for not having a valid test certificate or valid vehicle licence.